The environment in the 2020 pandemic

We all know how devastating Covid-19 was to humans globally, it held nothing back, showing no discrimination. Whilst the most obvious impact was to humans both health wise and economically, there was another victim, the environment. What though was the impact to the environment? We might not know for some years, some guesses can be made though. No flying for a year meant less CO2 emitted, fewer cars on the roads also contributed to this. People not being in offices lowered the demand for electricity. Fewer people in wild places reduced litter contamination and water pollution eased as not only was there less litter entering waterways, but also fewer chemicals from factories. Some of these balanced out with humans just being somewhere else; for example, humans were not in offices but in homes which also needed heating or power for computers as well as comforts such as hot food and drinks. Paudel (2021) has gone some way to quantify the Covid impact upon the environment focusing on forest fires in Nepal, South Asia.

Forest fires have numerous origins, from natural causes like lightening to anthropogenic causes. The paper uses satellite imaging to study factors such as heat intensity and forest fire incidence occurrence to identify what, if any influences Covid 19 has had upon anthropogenic fire incidence. The study found that the brightness of fires and the number of incidents reduced and actually lead to an economic gain of 360 Rupee's per household (~3 US$) (likely through reduced property/infrastructure damage costs). 

They also note the decrease in particulate matter (PM2.5) and NO2 in numerous cities globally. These short-term improvements can be no replacement for cooperation and improved management strategies or any forest nor important climate change work.

Paudel, J., 2021. Short-run environmental effects of COVID-19: Evidence from forest fires. World Development, 137, p.105120.

Climate change impact to forest species adaptation and/or migration

Climate change means that many species are currently inhabiting an area that will become unsuitable to them (i.e. temperature and rain). These climatic alterations will require species to adapt, some rapidly so, otherwise they face local extinction (extirpation) or range constriction. The paper by Gougherty, Keller and Fitzpatrick (2021) studies the species balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), looking at the flowering time genes. These are strongly connected to seasonal and cyclic behaviour in relation to climate.(phenology), they are crucial for ensuring population viability in future climates.

They found that populations at the centre of the range are best prepared for any of the three types of offset (change) discussed in the paper. These included: local adaptation with no migration, migration to anywhere else within the range (forward offset) and reverse offset where any of the current populations are already possess adaptations to potential future climates. In comparison to central populations, those in the eastern and northern most ranges are the most likely to experience extinction. It was identified that populations in the eastern most range would likely need to migrate around 5000km, an unlikely event naturally given seed and pollen dispersal limitations and the geography of the region.

The work of the team highlighted that for P. balsamifera the influence of temperature was secondary to that of changes in winter precipitation. This along with recent research in local adaptation contradict the presumed leading/trailing edge where poleward shifts were expected to see populations experiencing the first temperature changes outside of their normal range being the first to struggle.

A key take home message is that it is populations that adapt to climate change, not a species.

Gougherty, A.V., Keller, S.R. and Fitzpatrick, M.C., 2021. Maladaptation, migration and extirpation fuel climate change risk in a forest tree species. Nature Climate Change, 11(2), pp.166-171.

New in nature 🌲

Winter. It's cold and the only new thing maybe a new layer of snow or the gifts received. In the natural world Spring is most commonly associated as being the season of new. Unburst buds becoming new leaves, new life in the fields and trees. New doesn't just happen in Spring though, mushrooms erupt in the Autumn, their fruiting bodies popping out of the ground and trees to shower spores on the world. Fruits too are commonly found in Autumn. New is a constant phenomenon, one that humans have a strong connection with; new shoes, new car, new phone, humans became obsessed with new.

More recently this changed as many realised the harm 'new' causes to the planet. Whether that be from waste, the use of resources or the lack of recyclability for too many items. There has become a move towards recycled and reused as well as pre-loved items, such as those sold on Vinted. New is something nice and something that most people love, but new in nature means so much more. New in nature is more about new life, whether that is offspring or new leaves on trees. New in nature is about survival of the individual and species.

When you consider the concept of new in the natural world, it puts perspective on that new bag you were looking at the other day, or the new phone waiting at the end of your contract. There are new things humans can look forward too without the environmental impact. A walk in the woods at any time of year will provide something new. Last year's seedlings will begin to emerge, flowers will bloom, fruits, nuts and seeds from trees and vegetation will form, mushrooms can be found, animals may be seen one visit and not the next with migratory species appearing, bringing a completely new almost exotic feel to the woodland. It is not just in woodlands that the new of nature can be experienced. Coastlines changing bring new species, again including some migratory. Even climate change will bring new to many environments. However, much of the climate change new may cause other problems such as competition between species, this will be especially problematic to niche species.

To some new is scary and something to avoid, but it is part of life for nature and humans. It can be problematic (climate change), but it can also be a joyous thing (new life). Appreciate the new and old.

Share your thoughts in the comments or come over to Discord to chat about this and other subjects.

https://linktr.ee/environmintleaf

Septimber - Quote

Photo credit: Katie Tinker 

Just a thought to remind us all that in life and our world everything is of equal importance. In everyday life we can make the world a better place and that is what counts.

This brings Septimber to a close, there will be one final post later in October which has taken longer to prepare than expected. Stay tuned for this fun facts post.

Septimber – Woodland management

Many woodlands go undisturbed for centuries with so little human influence that you would not know anyone had been there at all. However, as humans realise the importance of woodlands and forestry so too do they see how important it is to manage and monitor them. It is of particular importance to manage a woodland as an individual and not assume that what works for one will work for all. For instance, there is little point in managing a woodland for dormice when they have never been found in the region before. Whilst if they were once present then the woodland could be managed to encourage their return.

There are many factors which must be considered when designing and implementing a management strategy. Its current use for one, is it used for recreation or has it been left abandoned? What are the plans for the future? Knowing this can change the type of plan drastically. For example, if the woodland is to be used commercially then the species and planting layout (i.e. in rows) are important. In a woodland to be used for conservation the tree species present are still significant whilst the structure of the understory and canopy is of equal consequence. Environmental issues such as flooding and drought must also be understood otherwise increasing or decreasing the woodland could do more harm than good. So, you see it is not a simple task to form a management plan that will actually work.

Septimber - Deadwood

Whilst this tree was still living when this photo was taken it is very old and its twin has already died.

Though it can be sad when a tree dies whether from old age, damage or from falling there is something good which comes from this loss. Deadwood both part of a living tree or laying on the ground has many uses for many species. Fungi, insects and birds all use deadwood, they grow on it, eat it or nest in it. Woodpeckers for example require deadwood which they hollow out for nesting, woodlice on the other hand consume deadwood¹. As well as being utilised by mobile species, as deadwood decays nutrients stored within it, such as Nitrogen (N), are broken down and returned to the soil for living plants to use again. So, you see whilst a tree dying is sad and does leave a hole in an ecosystem, particularly if an ancient tree, deadwood is also a major part of the woodland/forest environment and is relied on by many species.

1 Information for forest management with further information on species reliant on deadwood.

Septimber

Septimber

All things trees, wood and forest. Find an appreciation for the importance and uses of trees and why we rely on them so much despite our transfer to plastic and steel where timber was traditional.